wondering if this code would work?
<?php
include 'header.php';
$horseid = $_POST['horseid'];
$userid = $_POST['userid'];
$classtype = $_POST['classtype'];
$classname = $_POST['classname'];
// select entry for user based on horse id and classtype
$check_query = "SELECT * FROM winterfest WHERE horseid = $horseid AND classtype = $classtype AND userid = $userid";
$result = mysql_query($check_query) or die(mysql_error());
$num_rows = mysql_num_rows($result);
// if there is an entry, display warning
if($num_rows >= 1)
{
echo "<img src='christmas08/winterfestbanner.png'><BR><h1>You have entered this horse already this round.</h1>";
}
else {
// record entry
$sql="INSERT INTO winterfest (horseid, userid, classname, classtype) VALUES ('$horseid','$userid','$classname','$classtype')";
mysql_query($sql) or die(mysql_query());
echo "<img src='christmas08/winterfestbanner.png'><BR><h2>Success! You have entered Winterfest!</h2>";
}
?>